Playscapes

At the Children’s Museum of Tacoma we believe play is the elemental component of children’s learning. Our playscapes engage young children ages birth to 8 and their adult

caregivers in self-directed play through innovative design that celebrates imagination and encourages creativity.

The museum’s playscapes and programs support children’s growth through play by addressing age-appropriate development, especially in the areas of creativity, social and emotional skills, cognitive and critical thinking skills, gross and fine motor development, and early literacy learning.

PLEASE NOTE:For the safety of all our visitors, only adults accompanied by a child will be allowed in the galleries. We do offer guided tours of the galleries for interested adults based on staffing availability.

Becka's Studio Featured Activities

Impressionism

September- January

Children's Museum of Tacoma and Tacoma Art Museum are excited to partner to provide whole family engagement, connecting our youngest visitors through the arts. The Children's Museum will highlight works from TAM’s installation of Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Their Circle: French Impressionism and the Northwest. Impressionists set out to capture moments in time using fast and loose brush strokes. Just like the Impressionists, visitors will be inspired by light, color, and movement. Families are then invited to visit Tacoma Art Museum to experience these works of art in person, through the use of a free Family Access Pass. This partnership provides free TAM admission for up to 500 families a year.

These activities is included with Pay As You Will admission.

Steam Studio

Ongoing in Studio B

Within the STEAM Studio visitors are invited to make, tinker, and create. Hoppers brim with recycled materials and workstations are equipped with authentic tools. Children and adults playfully engage in designing, engineering, and building as they bring a plan into 3-D form. Start with a blueprint, or create a plan of your own. Collect all of the needed materials and tools and set to work. Experimenting and problem solving skills will be honed as curious builders imagine materials in a new light and envision sequential steps to complete their project.

Call for Materials--- Help up keep the STEAM Studio stocked with donations of clean, recycled materials. We are seeking small cardboard boxes, plastic containers and lids (both round and square), egg cartons, plastic bottles, and paper towel and toilet paper tubes. Gather these STEAM Studio treasures from your home and donate them in the lobby of the Museum.